Movie Lesson: Thirteen Days
Reference: Bernstein, A., Bliss, T. & Costner, K. (Producers). (2000). Thirteen days. (film).
Los Angeles, CA: New Line Cinema. [136 minutes].
In October 1962, U-2 surveillance photos reveal that the Soviet Union is in the process of
placing missiles carrying nuclear weapons in Cuba. President John F. Kennedy and his
advisers must come up with a plan of action to prevent their activation. Kennedy is
determined to show that the United States will not allow a missile threat.
Objectives:
1. Explain the historical significance of the Cuban Missile Crisis with respect to the Cold War.
2. Describe the role of Kenneth O’Donnell with respect to the Kennedy administration.
3. Examine the character of JFK. What are his strengths and weaknesses? What character traits did he
demonstrated as a leader of the free world?
4. Describe the relationship between Kenny O’Donnell and the Kennedy brothers. How did it change during
the course of this crisis?
5. Evaluate this movie. How did it affect you? What did you learn about American history through this
movie?
Key People:
John F Kennedy
Kenny O’Donnell
Dean Rusk
Gen. Maxwell Taylor
Valerian Zorin
Ted Sorensen
Robert F Kennedy
Nikita Khrushchev
Robert McNamara
Gen. Curtis LeMay
Andrei Gromyko
Adlai Stevenson
Key Terms:
Key Concepts / Events:
DEFCON 2
Strategic Air Command
Politburo
naval quarantine
Jupiter missiles
Bay of Pigs
Cuban Missile Crisis
Cold War
National Security Council